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Macaron Tutorial

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

No, no, this Fruit Salad with Blood Orange Syrup is not an ode to Mrs. Brad Pitt but rather a glimpse into my daily breakfast fare...in music. When Elly from Elly Says Opa! announced her "Eat To The Beat" event I knew right off the bat what I would make. Hugh...what so special about Fruit Salad you might ask?! Well yes, said like that, nothing really. Except that fruit salads always make me sing this song , and this one made me sing it even louder. It is just a simple mix of fresh cut kiwis, strawberries and pineapple but set on a bed of Greek yogurt and sweetened with freshly made blood orange syrup....hmmmm!

Every relationship comes with a great song. I like to think that I share this one with my grandfather, Papi Rene, now 97. The gentleman in the video is nothing like him and has long passed away but he was one of France's genuine comedians and actors. My grandfather used to sing me this song all the time when I was a kid and although I was not paying much attention to the lyrics, it stuck to me like glue up to this day. I was always mesmerized by my Papi's singing, his physique commanding respect (still does) and silence, and it kind of became "my" song. I realized the other day that it could be my wake up song because it always puts me in a great mood.

With this song and beat, I also thought it was about time to answer the questions I receive the most in the emails that readers send me "Do you eat everything you make all the time?" and "What do you really eat?". Yes, I eat the desserts I make and post about here, unless they are for special orders and then I just make a couple extra cupcakes or pastries for B. and me. Yes, I eat cake, cheesecakes and yes, I have chocolate everyday....but in a reasonable portion and we often share a dessert after dinner. No, I don't polish a whole bowl of chocolate mousse on my own although I could totally see myself do that since I seem to have an expandable stomach, especially past 4pm, which brings me to this fruit salad.

I have a very difficult time eating in the morning and fruit and yogurt are usually the only thing I have time to fix and eat since I like to stay in my bed until the very last minute possible. It's usually cut up seasonal fruits, yogurt and a drizzle of honey, sometimes a sprinkle of granola or toasted coconut (like here). Every winter I cannot wait to see blood oranges pop up at the store and I stock up big time last week and made a batch of syrup with a few. We pour it on almost everything: waffles, ice cream, yogurt, and even pork roast (trust me it rocks!). I get a good dose of vitamins and plenty of nutrients right from the start...it's in the afternoon that things get a little different! When you bake for others you are often not hungry enough afterwards to want something big (or anything at all) and it is the case for me until a couple of hours later. Thus, I make sure there is dessert around so I can have a few spoonfuls of chocolate mousse or cake. Starting the day with this invigorates me, makes me feel good inside and out, and I know I have gotten one thing right ....especially if I somehow happen to lose my spoon to Ben&Jerry later on.

Make the orange syrup first and let cool completely. In a bowl, combined all the fruits. Layer the yogurt, fruits in glasses or cups and top with the cooled syrup. Top with toated coconut.

This more a method than a recipe and you can change the fruits at will depending what is available in your area (I am in a relatively tropical area so these are always to get).I have to add that my fruit salads are now even prettier in a cool polka dot bowl that Chris from Mele Cotte sent me (originally filled with chocolates, but these are long gone, ahahah!!) along with funky paper napkins that I love. Thanks Peaches, but helping you with your big event was a treat for me and I hope I could do it in person one day!!

I need to end this post on an even sweeter note. My favorite French student, great friend, pastry confident and all around amazing blogger Veronica, from Veronica's Test Kitchen launched her very own baking business in Richmond VA, aptly called Petites Bouchees . To help her test taste the viability of shipping she asked a few of us if we agreed to be her guinea pigs....like I was going to refuse me a macaron?!!! I get to sit down for once!! I emailed her as soon as I got home and snatched the box from B's hands "Is your name on the box?" I asked. "Hugh...I knew what is was and I figured I'd refrigerate them...you know..to help" he said...."Minus 4 already!" As you can probably guess, the box is almost empty, and I am keeping guard tonight...these babies will be mine!! The boxing and packaging is exquisite but the macarons themselves are divine! The vanilla buttercream is absolutely wonderful and the scent makes you want to lay in a field of vanilla beans! The caramel is soft and deep golden, leaving that salty little touch on your tongue. If I were you people living in Richmond, I would run to my computer and get her info because I suspect Veronica is going to be busy filling orders they are so good.

I totally agree...life is too short not to eat everything. We ALWAYS have dessert. We share. We exercise our butts off so we CAN eat these things. People always ask why we don't look obese (my hubby and I)....because we eat everything in moderation and we exercise. Jenny Craig can kiss my pa'tooty. I will exercise 5 hours a day before I give up dessert. Your fruit and yogurt look fab.

Mmmm. This is definitely the breakfast of champions. I love this post and the song/story you connected with the dish. Thanks so much for participating! (Oh, and I am jealous of your polka dot bowl, too).

This just warms my heart! I can't understand much French when it's spoken so I had to look up the lyrics (thanks, Lisa Ono) but my French vocabulary has cannonball-sized holes in it, so I had to translate it. It's so funny! Got a little racy in the middle but I thought the end was so sweet, "C'est toi le fruit de nos amours, bonjour petit." Made me miss my grandfather (although he didn't sing to us).

Now to the food-- pretty, pretty, pretty! You always seem to find the perfect glass to put it in, too :) I love it when it looks so good and so wholesome at the same time.

I love the way you present this yogurt. Great colour combination. so white and so pure yet top with blood orange syrup and mixed fruit, who doesnt want to finger into this dessert of yours!YOu are so lucky to have tasted Veronica's Macarons! Wish I could had one! :)